Air conditioning flashing hood

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning flashing hood adapted to be connected to the wall structure and extend through the exterior wall of the structure to provide a passage through which a refrigerant line and an electrical control line may extend to communicate with an external compressor. The air conditioning flashing hood includes an internal sealing element which compresses against the outer surface of the refrigerant line and the electrical control line to form a substantially weather-tight seal therebetween to mitigate fluid migration along the lines into the structure, as well as to provide a barrier for any bugs, debris or animals to keep such undesirable objects from entering the structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application divisional patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/097,462, filed Apr. 13, 2016, which is acontinuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/203,225, filed Mar. 10, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,337,648, issued onMay 10, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/798,434, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the contents of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a moisture barrier, and morespecifically to an air conditioning flashing hood extendable through anexterior wall and configured to define a substantially weather-tightseal with an air conditioner refrigerant line(s) and an electricalcontrol line(s) extending therethrough to mitigate fluid migration andunwanted entry of bugs, debris or animals through an opening formed inthe exterior wall.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is commonly known, air conditioners typically use evaporation of arefrigerant, like Freon, to provide air cooling. For example,conventional window mounted air conditioners have traditionally beenutilized in small indoor spaces (e.g., one-bedroom apartment), and isgenerally small enough to fit into a standard window frame. The airconditioner is then operated for cooling in which its fan blows over itscondenser coils to deliver cold air to the indoor space.

Although conventional window air conditioners are suitable for smallindoor spaces, they are not, however, effective or efficient for coolinglarger indoor spaces such as a residential house or a commercialbuilding. As such, central air conditioners are typically used forlarger residential houses and commercial buildings. The central airconditioner is typically a more efficient way to cool such larger indoorspaces by providing controlled flow of chilled air through the air ductsof a conventional forced-air heating/cooling system.

As is known, central air conditioners include a compressor typicallyinstalled outside the residential house or commercial building and aevaporator unit/coil unit typically located inside the building andresident within a conventional forced air heating and ventilation (HVAC)system.

Typically, the compressor of the central air conditioner is placed on aconcrete pad located outside the residential house or commercialbuilding. It is connected to the evaporator disposed within a forced-airheating system located inside the house or by a number of airconditioning lines/conduits which extend through a section of anexterior wall of the building. More specifically, at least tworefrigerant lines (typically a feed and return copper pipe for acompressive refrigerant gas) and a control line(s) (electrical line forselectively activating the compressor and fan of the air conditioningsystem) extend between the outside-located compressor and theinside-located condenser of the forced-air heating system.

The refrigerant line(s) and the control line(s) typically extend throughan opening formed in the exterior wall so as to extend between the airconditioner condenser and evaporator unit. Although the opening servesthe purposes of allowing the refrigerant and control lines to extendbetween the condenser and evaporator unit, the opening also createsadditional problems. For instance, water from rain, snow, sprinklers, orvandalism may pass through the opening and cause damage to the inside ofthe structure. Furthermore rodents or other foreign objects may enterthe structure through the opening.

Therefore, several prior art products and techniques have been developedin an attempt to close the opening so as to reduce the likelihood thatwater, animals, debris, etc. will pass through the opening. One productcommonly used is an exterior roof jack flashing, which generallyincludes a conically shaped sheet metal body or plastic which protrudesoutwardly through the wall and provides a single enlarged openingleading to the inside of the building. However, due to the extensivesize, the openings of the roof jack flashing remains substantially open,i.e., unfilled, despite the lines passing therethrough.

In an attempt to fill the open space in the flashing, it has been acommon practice in the field to simply push a rag or fabric matteraround the lines to block the opening. More particularly, the rags orfabric matter are typically dipped in a sealant such as tar and pushedinto the opening to fill the spacing surrounding the air conditioninglines. As an alternative method, spray foam or flashing tapes were alsoused to seal off the opening.

Although such method has proven to be somewhat effective initially insealing the opening, it is significantly deficient to seal the openingover time. More specifically, due to its fabric structure, the rage ormatting tends to degrade over time. This is also the same for the foamadhesive taps which tend to degrade over time. Further the pliability offlexibility of the rage or matting allows shifting from its originalsealing positions when the exterior wall vent is inadvertently contact.

In recognizing these deficiencies, the present applicant developed anair conditioning line flashing panel, as disclosed and claimed in U.S.Pat. No. 7,640,699, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporatedherein by reference. However, the use of such flashing panel typicallyhas been limited to stucco or thin wood siding applications and not usedin thick, decorative brick or stone cladding applications.

In view of the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for an airconditioning flashing hood or cover which can create a seal around therefrigerant and control lines extending through both relatively thickbrick or stone clad or relatively thin stucco or wood clad exteriorwalls. The present invention addresses this particular need, as will bediscussed in more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided anair conditioning flashing hood adapted to be connected to the framemembers of a structure and extend through the exterior wall of thestructure to provide a passage through which a refrigerant line and anelectrical control line(s) may extend to communicate with an externalcompressor. The air conditioning flashing hood includes an internalsealing element which compresses against the outer surface of therefrigerant line and the electrical control line(s) to form asubstantially weather-tight seal therebetween to mitigate fluidmigration along the lines into the structure, as well as to provide abarrier for any bugs, debris or animals to keep such undesirable objectsfrom entering the structure.

According to one embodiment, the air conditioning flashing hood includesa plate member having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, witha plate opening formed within the plate member and extending between thefront and rear surfaces. A hood member extends outwardly from the platemember and defines an internal hood opening in communication with theplate opening. A sealing member is coupled to the hood member and istransitional relative to the hood member between a relaxed configurationand a compressive configuration in response to insertion of therefrigerant line and control line(s) through the sealing element.

The air conditioning flashing hood may additionally include a sealingplate coupled to the hood member and the sealing element. The sealingplate may include a sealing plate opening and the sealing element may becoupled to the sealing plate so as to extend into the sealing plateopening.

The sealing element may be formed from a polymer and/or an elastomericmaterial, or a synthetic, simulated elastomeric material.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an air conditioning flashing hoodextending through an exterior wall;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the air conditioning flashing hoodinterposed between two weather resistant barriers (WRB) or paper sheetsand attachable to a shearing wall having a pair of frame members;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the air conditioning flashing hood;and

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the air conditioning flashing hoodextending through the wall depicted in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the onlyform in which the present devices may be developed or utilized. It is tobe understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may beaccomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to beencompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is furtherunderstood that the use of relational terms such as first, second, andthe like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such entities.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, andare not for purposes of limiting the same, there is depicted an airconditioning flashing hood 10 having a sealing element 12 configured tocompress against the outer surface of an air conditioner refrigerantline 14 and a control line(s) 16 to create a substantially weather tightseal therebetween. The seal between the flashing hood 10 and therefrigerant and control lines 14, 16 mitigates fluid migration into thestructure along the lines 14, 16, and also serves to prevent bugs,animals and debris from entering the structure.

According to one embodiment, the air conditioning flashing hood 10includes a plate member 18 having a front surface 20 (see FIG. 2) and anopposing rear surface 22 (see FIG. 3). The plate member 18 furtherincludes a plate opening 24 extending from the front surface 20 to therear surface 22. In one implementation, the plate opening 24 defines aquadrangular shape and is approximately 5 inches×7 inches, althoughother embodiments may include an opening defining other shapes and sizeswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

A hood member 26 extends downwardly from the plate member 18 and definesa hood opening 28 extending along a longitudinal hood axis 25 and incommunication with the plate opening 24. The hood member 26 may beintegrally formed with the plate member 18 or may be attached theretovia welding, rivets, adhesives or other bonding techniques known in theart. Both the hood member 26 and plate member 18 may be formed from astrong, durable, rigid and/or semi-rigid material, such as plastic,metal or the like. It is also contemplated that the flashing hood 10 maybe formed from an injection molded polymer or sheet metal.

The hood member 26 includes a peripheral wall 30 disposed about the hoodopening 28 and extending angularly from the front surface 20 of theplate member 18. In this regard, the hood member 26 extends away fromthe front surface 20 at a non-orthogonal angle relative to the frontsurface 20. In a preferred embodiment, the hood member 26 is configuredto extend downwardly from the plate member 18 when the air conditioningflashing hood 10 is installed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the peripheral wall 30 defines aquadrangular cross section in a transverse cross sectional plane.According to one embodiment, the hood opening 28 is also quadrangularand is approximately 5 inches×7.25 inches adjacent the distal end of thehood member 26 (i.e., the end of the hood member 26 extending away fromthe plate member 18). Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the aforementioned shape and dimensions of the hood opening 28 areexemplary in nature only and that other hood members 26 may define adifferent shape (i.e., circle, oval, triangle, etc.) and/or differentdimensions.

The flashing hood 10 additionally includes a sealing plate 32 coupled tothe peripheral wall 30 of the hood member 26 and extending within aplane that is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal hood axis 25.The sealing plate 32 includes a sealing plate opening 34 and is coupledto an elastomeric sealing element 12 that is disposed within the sealingplate opening 34. In one embodiment, the sealing plate opening 34 isapproximately 4 inches in diameter, although other shapes and sizes arecontemplated for different embodiments. The sealing element 12 definesan inner diameter “D” which expands to receive the refrigerant andcontrol lines 14, 16

The refrigerant line 14 and control line 16 extend through the plateopening 24 and hood opening 28, via the sealing plate opening 34, suchthat the sealing element 12 exerts a compressive force about therefrigerant and control lines 14, 16 to form a substantiallyweather-tight seal between the refrigerant and control lines 14, 16, andthe sealing element 12. Most refrigerant lines 14 typically include aninner feed conduit(s) 15 and return conduit 15A and an outer insulationlayer 17 disposed about the inner conduit 15. The outer insulation layer17 is typically formed from a compressible foam material. When therefrigerant and control lines 14, 16 extend through the sealing element,12, the compressive force of the sealing element 12 pushes the controlline 16 into the outer insulation layer 17 to enhance the substantiallyweather-tight engagement between the lines 14, 16 and the sealingelement 12.

According to one embodiment, the sealing element 12 is transitionalbetween a relaxed configuration and a compressive configuration relativeto the sealing plate 32 in response to insertion of the refrigerant andcontrol lines 14, 16 through the sealing element 12. Along these lines,the inner diameter D increases as the sealing element 12 transitionsfrom the relaxed configuration toward the compressive configuration.Insertion of the refrigerant and control lines 14, 16 through thesealing element 12 causes the sealing element 12 to transition andstretch from the relaxed configuration to the compressive configuration.The sealing element 12 may be biased toward the relaxed configurationsuch that when the lines 14, 16 are advanced through the sealing element12, the biasing force urges the sealing element 12 into circumferentialengagement with the lines 14, 16 to create the substantiallyweather-tight seal therebetween.

The sealing element 12 may be formed of an elastomeric material, such asrubber or plastic, although other elastomeric materials known by thoseskilled in the art may also be used without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is contemplated thatthe sealing element 12 may be formed from a simulated elastomericmaterial, which is slightly stretchable and biasable to compress aroundthe refrigerant and control lines 14, 16. As will be noted, the sealingelement 12 is positioned upwardly within the interior of the hood member26 so as to be shielded from direct exposure to light and ambientconditions to reduce long-term degradation of the sealing element 12.

The flashing hood 10 is preferably installed during originalconstruction of the structure. The structure includes a pair of adjacentframe members 36, 38 which is typically covered with a plywood shearpanel 37 partially shown in FIG. 2 and may include an exterior wallfaçade 40, such as a brick and/or stone wall. In most cases, thebrick/stone façade 40 is spaced from the frame members 36, 38 to createan air gap 42 (see FIG. 4) between the brick/stone façade 40 and theframe members 36, 38.

The plate member 18 is coupled to the shear panel 37 or frame members36, 38 via mechanical fasteners, such as nails, screws or otherfasteners known in the art. The plate member 18 may include one or moreuser formed openings 35 for fastening the plate member 18 to the framemembers 36, 38 or shear panel 37 as desired.

A rear WRB and/or paper sheet 44 is preferably disposed between theplate member 18 and the shear panel 37 and supporting frame members 36,38. According to one embodiment, the rear WRB and/or building wrap orpaper sheet 44 is utilized, although other sheets or materials known bythose skilled in the art may also be used without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. The rear paper sheet 44preferably includes a cutout 46 formed therein and the rear paper sheet44 is aligned with the flashing hood 10 such that the cutout 46 isaligned and in communication with the plate opening 24 and hood opening28. The cutout 46 is preferably sized to accommodate the refrigerant andcontrol lines 14, 16. The rear paper sheet 44 may be connected to theframe members 36, 38 and/or the plate member 18 via mechanicalfasteners, an adhesive, a bonding agent or other joining techniquesknown by those skilled in the art.

A front paper sheet 48 is positioned over the front surface 20 of theplate member 18 and includes a cutout 50 to fit around the hood member26. The front paper sheet 48 may be formed from the same material as therear paper sheet 44 and may be connected to the plate member 18 viamechanical fasteners, an adhesive, a bonding agent or other joiningtechniques known by those skilled in the art.

When installed, the flashing hood 10 provides a passageway through theouter wall 40 for passage of the refrigerant and control lines 14, 16.The internal sealing element 12 compresses around the outer surface ofthe lines 14, 16 to create a substantially weather-tight seal toweather-proof the passage (e.g., protect against water entry), and tomitigate entry of bugs, animals or debris through the passageway. Inthis regard, the sealing element 12 conforms to the size of therefrigerant and control lines 14, 16 to substantially close the openingaround the lines 14, 16. Furthermore, insertion of the refrigerant andcontrol lines 14, 16 is easy and does not require any additionalcaulking or assembly of the flashing hood 10 on the job site. Inadditional embodiments, a horizontal slit can be cut into the WRB andthe upper edge of the hood can be slid beneath the WRB; inserted overthe refrigerant lines and attached to the shear panel 37. Subsequentlyconventional flashing tape can be applied over the slit and around thehood to form a moisture barrier.

Although shown for use in relatively thick brick/stone façade walls,those skilled in the art will recognize the hood 10 can be utilized onthinner conventional stucco or wood siding clad walls with the length ofthe hood member 26 being formed or cut off in different lengths asdesired.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodimentsdisclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with eachother and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinationsdescribed herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited bythe illustrated embodiments.

1-20. (canceled).
 21. A flashing hood kit, comprising: a plate memberhaving a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a plate openingextending between the first and second surfaces; a hood member coupledto the plate member and extending from the first surface of the platemember, the hood member defining an internal hood opening incommunication with the plate opening; a sealing element coupled to thehood member, the sealing element having a sealing element opening sizedto receive the line, the sealing element being transitional relative tothe hood member between a relaxed configuration and a compressiveconfiguration in response to insertion of a line through the sealingelement opening; a first sheet having a first opening extendingtherethrough, the first sheet being placeable adjacent the panel bodyand about a peripheral portion of the hood member; and a second sheetplaceable in opposed relation to the first sheet adjacent the panelbody.
 22. The flashing hood kit recited in claim 38, wherein the lineincludes either or both of a refrigerant line and an electrical controlline.
 23. The flashing hood kit recited in claim 38, further comprisinga sealing plate having a sealing plate opening extending therethrough,the sealing plate being coupled to the hood member and the sealingelement, the sealing element opening being in communication with thesealing plate opening. What is claimed is:
 1. A flashing hood configuredfor use with a utility line the flashing hood comprising: a plate memberhaving a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a plate openingextending between the first and second surfaces; a hood member coupledto the plate member and extending from the first surface of the platemember, the hood member defining an internal hood opening incommunication with the plate opening; and a sealing element coupled tothe hood member, the sealing element having a sealing element openingsized to receive and engage with the utility line for exerting acompressive force thereon, the sealing element being transitionalrelative to the hood member between a relaxed configuration and acompressive configuration in response to insertion of the utility linethrough the sealing element opening.
 2. The flashing hood recited inclaim 1, further comprising a sealing plate having a sealing plateopening extending therethrough, the sealing plate being coupled to thehood member and the sealing element, the sealing element opening beingin communication with the sealing plate opening.
 3. The flashing hoodrecited in claim 2, wherein the sealing plate opening is approximately 4inches in diameter.
 4. The flashing hood recited in claim 1, wherein thesealing element is formed from a polymer material.
 5. The flashing hoodrecited in claim 1, wherein the sealing element is formed from anelastomeric material.
 6. The flashing hood recited in claim 1, whereinthe hood is of a quadrangular configuration.
 7. The flashing hoodrecited in claim 1, wherein the plate opening defines a quadrangularconfiguration.
 8. The flashing hood recited in claim 7, wherein theplate opening is approximately 5 inches×7 inches.
 9. The flashing hoodrecited in claim 1, wherein the hood member and plate member form aunitary structure.
 10. The flashing hood recited in claim 1, wherein thehood member extends from the plate member in a non-orthogonalorientation.
 11. The flashing hood recited in claim 1, wherein thesealing element is biased toward the relaxed configuration.
 12. Theflashing hood recited in claim 1, the hood member having a proximal endcoupled to the plate member and an opposed distal end, the sealingelement being spaced from the proximal and distal ends.
 13. A flashinghood kit comprising: a plate member having a first surface, an opposingsecond surface, and a plate opening extending between the first andsecond surfaces; a hood member coupled to the plate member and extendingfrom the first surface of the plate member, the hood member defining aninternal hood opening in communication with the plate opening; a sealingelement coupled to the hood member, the sealing element having a sealingelement opening sized to receive the utility line, the sealing elementbeing transitional relative to the hood member between a relaxedconfiguration and a compressive configuration in response to insertionof the utility line through the sealing element opening; a first sheethaving a first opening extending therethrough, the first sheet beingplaceable adjacent the panel body and about a peripheral portion of thehood member; and a second sheet placeable in opposed relation to thefirst sheet adjacent the the panel body.
 14. The flashing hood kitrecited in claim 13, wherein the first and second sheets are formed froma paper material.
 15. The flashing hood kit recited in claim 13, whereinthe hood member and plate member form a unitary structure.
 16. Theflashing hood kit recited in claim 13, wherein the hood member extendsfrom the plate member in a non-orthogonal orientation.
 17. The flashinghood kit recited in claim 13, wherein the sealing element is biasedtoward the relaxed configuration.
 18. The flashing hood kit recited inclaim 13, the hood member having a proximal end coupled to the platemember and an opposed distal end, the sealing element being spaced fromthe proximal and distal ends.
 19. The flashing hood kit recited in claim13, further comprising a sealing plate having a sealing plate openingextending therethrough, the sealing plate being coupled to the hoodmember and the sealing element, the sealing element opening being incommunication with the sealing plate opening.
 20. A method of installinga utility line through a flashing hood, the method comprising the stepsof: providing a flashing hood comprising: a plate member having a firstsurface, an opposing second surface, and a plate opening extendingbetween the first and second surfaces; a hood member coupled to theplate member and extending from the first surface of the plate member,the hood member defining an internal hood opening in communication withthe plate opening; and a sealing element coupled to the hood member, thesealing element having a sealing element opening sized to receive theutility line, the sealing element being transitional relative to thehood member between a relaxed configuration and a compressiveconfiguration in response to insertion of the utility line through thesealing element opening; and inserting the utility line through thesealing element opening, the sealing element exerting a compressiveforce upon the utility line to create a substantially fluid tight sealtherebetween.